Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Shorkie - Breed Comparison

Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Shorkie - Breed ComparisonShorkie is originated from United States but Welsh Springer Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Shorkie may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than Welsh Springer Spaniel. Shorkie may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Welsh Springer Spaniel. Both Shorkie and Welsh Springer Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Shorkie and Welsh Springer Spaniel has almost same litter size. Both Shorkie and Welsh Springer Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Sporting dog
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United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
18 - 24 cm
7 - 10 inches
46 - 48 cm
18 - 19 inches
Height Female:
16 - 22 cm
6 - 9 inches
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 7 kg
8 - 16 pounds
16 - 18 kg
35 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
6 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Shorki • Shorkie • Yorkie Tzu Shorkie Tzu
Welshie Welsh Spaniel Welsh Cocker Spaniel Welsh Starter
Colors Available:
Black and tan • Brown and white • Gold • Red • Gold, black, and white • Particolored
red and white
Coat:
coat type soft and relatively long coats. They should be silky and never coarse
Naturally straight flat and soft to the touch, never wiry or wavy feathered coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

shorkieThe Shorkie is a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Shih Tzu. This little dog actually thinks he’s quite big. He is a great watchdog and a barker, and he is a loyal and loving member of his family. He will let you know if he thinks something is going on that shouldn’t be.

This hybrid combines two breeds known for their good looks, cuteness and personalities. Shorkies get their watchdog instincts and their loyalty to their people from the Shih Tzu and their personalities and good looks from the Yorkie. This designer breed has no known standard and every puppy is different, but traits from its founding breeds will remain. Both breeds have great personalities.

Regardless of the differences within the litter, because the personalities and adorableness of the two founding breeds are equal, all of the puppies will have those characteristics. They will all be energetic, playful and think they are big dogs. They will all love people and especially kids – playing and watching over them.

The Shorkie is intelligent, trainable, and snuggly. They will also have the stubborn trait that the two founding breeds can show at times. Developed in the United States, this crossbreed is extremely popular even though they have been in existence for only ten years or so. Breeders in the U.S. began to mix these two breeds in order to develop a cute, friendly and intelligent little dog that will cuddle on your lap – perfect lap dog.

Even if we already have breeds similar to the Shorkie, its development allows breeders to diversify and improve the genetics of the dogs. It is important that these be responsible breeders whose intentions are not financial but to legitimately improve the positive traits of each breed while sorting out the undesirable or weak traits. This is the positive side of the new designer breeds.

Even though it is still being developed, at least the Shorkie seems to be a success story for designer breeds as a loving, popular little dog. It will take a lot more time and a lot more development before the Shorkie becomes an actual recognized breed. At the moment it remains a hybrid, a crossbreed, a so called designer dog.

It will be at least 7-10 generations of careful and quality breeding before the Shorkies are potentially recognized as its own pedigree breed. It is important to breed Shorkies to Shorkies in order to develop a standard that could be accepted for a new breed by the AKC and UKC. Over time the puppies must become more and more standardized in their conformity to that new breed standard. Their physical appearance and their temperament will be standardized. At this stage the second generation of Shorkies is rare. Their popularity is rising in the United Kingdom. Both Britain and Ireland have a growing interest in this hybrid.

welsh springer spanielThe Welsh Springer Spaniel is thought to be an old Land Spaniel similar to the English Springer Spaniel. They were pretty mush an unknown breed until they won a string of dog trials and became more popular. Following this surge the breed was recognized by the UKC in 1902 and were named the Welsh Springer Spaniel. No one really knows when the breed was developed and cannot be traced because of lack of documentation. They were brought to America in the early 1900’s and were recognized as a breed by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1906.

There are images of a dog looking a lot like the Welsh Springer Spaniel in old prints and pictures. The pictures are of a dog known as a Land Spaniel very much like the Welsh Springer Spaniel. These dogs were thought to be preserved by the Welsh and originally called the Welsh Starter. It was a hunting breed working with falcons.

At one point the breed was called the Welsh Spaniel and was also in the UK studbook as a Cocker Spaniel or a Welsh Cocker. There were several different types of Cocker Spaniels including the English Cocker, the Welsh Cocker, the Devonshire Cocker. The Welsh Cocker Spaniel was a solid dark color while the Welsh and Devonshire Cockers were liver colored.

Following World War II there were no dogs left in Wales or anywhere else in the United Kingdom whose parents were registered pedigree. The unregistered dogs were used to restart the breed and these dogs are the ancestors of the modern Welsh Springer Spaniel.

The breed is still rare with only 299 registered in the UK in 2016. They are listed now a vulnerable Native Breed.

Description

shorkie puppy - descriptionThe Shorkie, being a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu, and as such has physical and temperament characteristics from both breeds. They could be 50-50 but most likely each puppy will be more like one of the founding parents than the other. Because there is a lot of similarity between the founding breeds there is a lot of similarity between the Shorkies.

Their hair is either wavy or straight, but it is soft. It can be a wide variety of colors and usually they have a darker mask on the face. Usually they have the eyes of the Shih Tzu – large -but not protruding. Their muzzle is short, and the skull is round with triangle ears. Their bodies are compact, small with plenty of muscle for their size. They also have fine bones and short legs, with a thin curled tail.

welsh springer spaniel puppy - descriptionThe breed is a medium size, solid and compact dog bred to work. Their forequarters are angled and there hindquarters are well developed. This is a very good looking breed that is only red with white markings. A hard working dog bred to hunt. They are slighter longer than tall and are not penalized as long as the height tis not greater than the length.

The tail in docked except in countries where it is illegal to do so. Their eyes should be brown. Noses are black or brown. The ears are small with a fethering like most setters. The show and field styles are the same. They are confused with the Engolish Springer Spaniel even though there are many differences. But both breeds are born to hunt and “spring” at the prey. They are smaller than the English Springer Spaniel and larger than the English Cocker Spaniel.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – yes, they are very child friendly.

2.Special talents – Loyal and loving.

3.Adaptability – The Shorkie could happen.

4.Learning ability – Highly intelligent, but they can be stubborn.

Characteristics

welsh springer spaniel dog - characteristics1Children friendliness yes they love their own children, but might be wary of others.

2.Special talents - endurance and stamina are intense with this breed.

3.Adapability – not that good in an apartment as this is a rare working dog.

4.Learning ability - intelligent and willing

Health Problems

shorkie puppies - health problemsMany hybrids are in better health at least genetically than their parent breeds. Responsible breeders will breed any genetic issues out of their puppies. Still there are many health issues that the Shorkies are prone to. These include:

  • Tooth loss, tooth decay and gum disease caused by dental overcrowding.
  • Joint issues – can cause lameness.
  • Diabetes – high blood sugar.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Liver disease and potential shunt.
  • Progressive Retinal Apathy - visual imparity.
  • Patellar Luxation – can cause arthritis.
  • Hypoglycemia. – low blood sugar.
  • Collapsed Trachea.

• Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome – “smashed face” causes problems with breathing, heat, flying and more.

• Glaucoma – Yorkshires have this, and it can be secondary to the lens Luxation.

Health Problems

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a few serious health concerns such as:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.

welsh springer spaniel puppies - health problems• Eye Diseases – Glaucoma can cause blindness; Entropian – eyelids curl inwards and can damage the cornea.

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis – can be treated with medication.
  • Ear infections – be sure to keep them clean to prevent this.
  • Epilepsy – as many spaniels have. Can be treated with medications.

Caring The Pet

shorkie dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy - The Shorkies need a high-quality, well-balanced dry kibble. Make sure it is a formula for small, active dogs. It should have lean meat and essential minerals and vitamins. Make sure it is puppy food not adult. The puppy needs 300 -550 calories a day in 3 meals.

2.Feeding the adult – Obesity is a problem for the Shorkie as it is for many small dogs. Don’t overfeed your adult but give her the same kind of high quality small breed dog food, only for adults. They need about 200-300 calories a day in 2 meals.

3.Points for Good Health – Few genetic diseases.

4. Games and Exercises – These are very active little dogs and need exercise every day. They needs walks, games, and time with you. They also love to cuddle with you at the end of the day. They love squeaky toys and playing fetch outside or inside.

welsh springer spaniel dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy active puppy. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed ½ -3/4 cup in 2-3 meals

2.Feeding the adult active breed. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed 1-1/2 cup in 1-2meals

3.Points for Good Health endurance/stamina – can outlast many hunting dogs.

4. Games and Exercises – Needs a secure fenced yard. Loves sports and outdoor activity. Agility, obedience, rally, tracking and loves to run, bike and hike.

Comparison with other breeds

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  8. Shorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Shorkie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Shorkie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  26. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison